Advice about Academic Advising

| As an Adviser | Tips for Advisers | Important Contacts |

Academic Advising is an essential ingredient for successful completion of the baccalaureate degree. Together, the adviser and the student can clarify goals and career choices in an atmosphere of open communication.

The College of Arts and Sciences places high value on advising and has undertaken a systematic effort with department chairs, faculty, staff, and students to build a strong advising program.

Students should feel free to ask questions, share problems, seek referrals, and consider matters that will enhance the quality of student life. The responsibilities outlined in this page are offered to help heighten adviser and student understanding of the advising relationship.

• Now in place is a program designed to train all new advisers to be comfortable with the Blugold System, degree program analysis, GE requirements, majors/minors, and special program requirements. This program has been expanded to include continuing advisers.

As an adviser you should:

• Know policies and procedures concerning program requirements, University graduation, and academic programs outlined in the University Catalogue, the course schedule, relevant departmental materials and the Faculty Advising Handbook.
• Know what is required for students to maintain good academic standing.
• Be proficient in the use of the Blugold system in order to obtain information about your advisees and about curricular offerings.
• Know how to use the degree audit produced by the Office of the Registrar.
• Know about graduation, program, and major requirements as well as departmental offerings.
• Know about university policies and procedures for adding or withdrawing from a class, requesting a change of grade basis, petitioning for a waiver or substitution, withdrawing from the university, requesting a change of final exam time, and determining academic standing.
• Know about referral services available on campus such as the Academic Skills Center, Career Services, or Counseling Services.
• Maintain a reasonable number of office hours for advising and utilize other means of communication such as email and telephone to contact advisees.
• Initiate meetings with new advisees and closely monitor freshman advisees.
• Be familiar with the advisee's file before the student arrives for an appointment; have the student's Personal Access Code (PAC) available.
• Assist advisees with class scheduling and long-range career planning.
• Be honest and realistic with advisees concerning their academic progress and career goals.
• Keep accurate records of meetings with advisees.
• Participate in any adviser updates sponsored at the department level.

Tips for Advisers

• Consider small group advising sections.
• Extend office hours during pre-registration.
• Remind students, when using email or other contacts, of your office hours and phone number.
• Consider building a custom adviser checklist for efficiently conducting advising sessions.
• Initiate early meetings with new advisees to help build a strong relationship.
• Keep up-to-date Catalogues, Schedule Bulletins, and a Faculty Adviser handbook at hand for easy reference.
• Urge your advisees to continue conferring with you even beyond the visits required to obtain a Personal Advising Code (PAC).

Important Contacts